The purpose of strategic thinking

So our thoughts die instead of us

Why do we think strategically?

A basic question, sure, but a critical one nonetheless. We shouldn’t do things without a good reason.

Survival and success are usual suspects, in this case, that are good enough for me.

An endeavor is worthy of strategic thinking when we are locked in competition of some sort. The presence of a living, willed adversary committed to our downfall increases the odds that we won’t make it. We may lose.

This fact is as frightening as it is motivating. The enemy at the gates sharpens the mind and the will. It is this motivation that drives one to think through the next step, the opponent’s response, the step after, another opponent’s strike, and so on. But you require motivation to actively think this through, just as only a car with fuel will get anywhere.

Part of what motivates is the stakes involved. If you were playing a game of checkers with a child to win a cookie, you likely wouldn’t put much forethought into your next move. But if around that same checker-board is a criminal who threatens to take your child if you lose, then the stakes are much higher.

This is the second motivating factor. First you want to beat someone (or, in some cases, get through something) that wants to beat you back. Second is the knowledge that if you lose, the consequences will be steep.

Now we arrive at the true purpose of strategic thinking. The stakes of competition are such that we might “die” a literal death or some close-enough cousin (i.e., severe professional loss) that rises our senses to a higher plane.

If you want to apply strategic thinking to some endeavor, mind these two principles. If there is no “other,” no foe, then you are likely just brainstorming what might come. If there are no stakes, then whatever you choose will get you somewhere that’s acceptable.

Adversary + Stakes, requires strategic thought.

*Note: Essay title comes from a paraphrase of a misquotation—many have misattributed a similar saying to philosopher Alfred North Whitehead.